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Meaning of PUBLICAN

Pronunciation:  'publukun

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: [n]  (British) the keeper of a public house
 
 Websites: 
 
 Synonyms: tavern keeper
 
 See Also: barkeep, barkeeper, barman, bartender, mixologist, tapper, tapster

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Pub"li*can\, n. [L. publicanus: cf. F. publicain. See
{Public}.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A farmer of the taxes and public revenues;
   hence, a collector of toll or tribute. The inferior
   officers of this class were often oppressive in their
   exactions, and were regarded with great detestation.
         As Jesus at meat . . . many publicans and sinners
         came and sat down with him and his disciples.
                                               --Matt. 1x.
                                               10.
         How like a fawning publican he looks! --Shak.
2. The keeper of an inn or public house; one licensed to
   retail beer, spirits, or wine.
 
Easton Bible Dictionary
 
 Definition: 

one who farmed the taxes (e.g., Zacchaeus, Luke 19:2) to be levied from a town or district, and thus undertook to pay to the supreme government a certain amount. In order to collect the taxes, the publicans employed subordinates (5:27; 15:1; 18:10), who, for their own ends, were often guilty of extortion and peculation. In New Testament times these taxes were paid to the Romans, and hence were regarded by the Jews as a very heavy burden, and hence also the collectors of taxes, who were frequently Jews, were hated, and were usually spoken of in very opprobrious terms. Jesus was accused of being a "friend of publicans and sinners" (Luke 7:34).

 

 

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